Another Disco 4 Torque Converter Shudder

[Woz]

Hi there,
Just noticed a shudder accelerating slowly at low rpm towing a 2.6 tonne 21ft van.( 210,000 ks)
We are travelling to Melbourne and return to the Gold Coast.
Just read on the forum that it’s the TC.
The transmission was serviced before we left, drain refill and adjustment. About 2,000 klms ago. If I had the symptom before the service, I would have asked for a full flush.
I will try the use sport mode. And keep the rpm above 2000 and see if that stops the shuddering.

Does it only cause damage to the converter when it shudders? No shuddering all good, or is it going to get worse and eventually give up?

[loanrangie]

Damage is already done and it just appears under load, best get it replaced sooner than later.
6spd or 8spd ?

[Woz]

It’s a 6 speed

[DiscoJeffster]

It’s a 6 speed

And 2.7L engine I bet ?

[DiscoDB]

2 tubes of Dr Tranny’s Instant Shudder Fix should eliminate the shudder, but then start budgeting for a rebuild in the future.

[loanrangie]

And 2.7L engine I bet ?

signature says 3.0 SDV6.



I have some Dr tranny that i didn't end up using, 6 tubes actually so 3 doses- will keep 2 just in case.

[PGus]

Hi there,
Just noticed a shudder accelerating slowly at low rpm towing a 2.6 tonne 21ft van.( 210,000 ks)
We are travelling to Melbourne and return to the Gold Coast.
Just read on the forum that it’s the TC.
The transmission was serviced before we left, drain refill and adjustment. About 2,000 klms ago. If I had the symptom before the service, I would have asked for a full flush.
I will try the use sport mode. And keep the rpm above 2000 and see if that stops the shuddering.

Does it only cause damage to the converter when it shudders? No shuddering all good, or is it going to get worse and eventually give up?


The shudder fix is a bandaid, but helps with the shudder for sure ( REPCO) drive her gently, will get you there and home again, our trip was Airlie Beach to Goldcoast , the shudder started as we hit Airlie, along with a suspension fault (2007 RRS towing a van) Had anew compressor installed and trans service in Airlie, didn't really help, Shudder fix in once we returned. Until we had the funds for transmission/ torque converter rebuild , Good Luck

[Woz]

When we hook up again, heading to Sydney, will try the sports mode shifting, if it still shudders, will get some Dr Transmission, where can you buy it?

[DiscoDB]

When we hook up again, heading to Sydney, will try the sports mode shifting, if it still shudders, will get some Dr Transmission, where can you buy it?

I believe now goes by the name: Lubegard Instant Shudder Fixx.

Sparesbox and MJ Products both sell it online, or you can find on eBay.

[Woz]

We are travelling, so can’t buy online or eBay any shops sell it?

[loanrangie]

We are travelling, so can’t buy online or eBay any shops sell it?

Not that ive seen, if you make it to Melbourne i can sell you a couple of tubes.

[DiscoDB]

You will probably have to get somewhere to order it in for you. I think Repco used to stock and may be able to order in if they don’t have. Or try calling MJ Products in Hallam and see if they can send to somewhere you can collect from.

You can also download the AusPost App, and set up a Parcel Collection delivery address at one of 3600 locations around Australia if you know where you will be. This will give you a unique delivery address you can then use when ordering on-line. Parcel Collect gives you 10 days to pick up, whereas Parcel Lockers have to be collected in 48hrs.

Collect your parcel from a Post Office - Australia Post (https://auspost.com.au/receiving/collection-points/choose-a-post-office-for-deliveries)

The only catch with Parcel Collect is just make sure it isn’t letter size or too large (see the FAQ for what can and can’t be posted).

Some eBay sellers also offer “Click & Collect” at Pharmacies and other retail outlets across Australia. These have to be collected within 7 days. Filter by “Click & Collect” when searching and then nominate a suitable delivery address near where you plan to be when ordering.

https://www.ebay.com.au/help/buying/shipping-delivery/changing-delivery-address-method/click-collect?id=4055

How to get mail and parcels on the Road. A guide to receiving mail while you are travelling Australia in a Caravan. - Caravan and Camping Hub Australia (https://caravancampinghub.com.au/how-to-get-mail-and-parcels-on-the-road-a-guide-to-receiving-mail-while-you-are-travelling-australia-in-a-caravan/)

[Woz]

Thanks for the postage info, if we need to get it. Will set up Aust post and stay a bit longer somewhere

[DiscoDB]

Now not to stress you out…..much….

Don’t live with the shudder for any longer than you have to.

There is anecdotal evidence that transmission shudder can contribute to snapped cranks on the 3.0TDV6 (I admit this is pure speculation by some but seems to be more prevalent with the 6 speed 3.0’s).

[Woz]

Left Myall shores and drove to Sydney about 250k
We felt shudder in all gears when leaving a servo and accelerating to merge on the highway.
After that I selected Command shift and drove the rest of the way selecting the gears and no shudder at all. Even with some steep hill starts.
I have a Gap tool and no error codes, car thinks everything is normal.

Is it ok to only drive in Command shift?

I have ordered some Lubegard shudder fix, will collect it in Melbourne, can I remove the transmission line to the radiator, drain out some fluid and replace it with Lubeguard?

What I don’t get, research says shuddering is caused by contaminated old fluid and it can be solved by a mega flush.

We towed the van back from Winton to the Gold Coast to get the transmission serviced, no shudder, now the transmission is serviced with fresh fluid and we get shudder.

I will do a Mega flush when we are home and see if that fixes it, if not a Tc rebuild

[loanrangie]

Left Myall shores and drove to Sydney about 250k
We felt shudder in all gears when leaving a servo and accelerating to merge on the highway.
After that I selected Command shift and drove the rest of the way selecting the gears and no shudder at all. Even with some steep hill starts.
I have a Gap tool and no error codes, car thinks everything is normal.

Is it ok to only drive in Command shift?

I have ordered some Lubegard shudder fix, will collect it in Melbourne, can I remove the transmission line to the radiator, drain out some fluid and replace it with Lubeguard?

What I don’t get, research says shuddering is caused by contaminated old fluid and it can be solved by a mega flush.

We towed the van back from Winton to the Gold Coast to get the transmission serviced, no shudder, now the transmission is serviced with fresh fluid and we get shudder.

I will do a Mega flush when we are home and see if that fixes it, if not a Tc rebuild

No need to remove any fluid as you are only adding about 50ml or so. A flush wont fix it as its caused by glazed and failing clutch friction material in the converter, dr tranny is only a bandaid but some people report it buying them a few more years.
No issue using command, youre doing it a favour by shifting early instead of letting it slip.

[Woz]

Thanks for the info, will use command to get to Melbourne, then some shudder fix and hope it gets us home.

[discorevy]

What I don’t get, research says shuddering is caused by contaminated old fluid and it can be solved by a mega flush.

We towed the van back from Winton to the Gold Coast to get the transmission serviced, no shudder, now the transmission is serviced with fresh fluid and we get shudder.

I will do a Mega flush when we are home and see if that fixes it, if not a Tc rebuild

FWIW, the ones I have seen that had the TC shudder shortly after a "transmission service" have had something other than genuine ZF lifeguard 6 or Penrite BMV put in.

Was the service done at either a Land Rover or ZF workshop?

If the shudder fix does as it says, then most of the glaze should have been removed from the lock up clutch in the torque converter and you should then have a bit of success with a full flush, if it was only due to incorrect fluid.

If the correct fluid was used, then, as previously stated, the damage is probably already done and a replacement torque converter and valve body kit will be on the cards.

best of luck

[Woz]

[QUOTE

Was the service done at either a Land Rover or ZF workshop?QUOTE]

No, the service was done by a reputable transmission specialist.
Fitted a steel pan and used ZF Lifeguard 6 on the receipt.

[Eric SDV6SE]

As said, just a flush, new pan and filter doesn't cure a shudder. The valve body valve ends leak over time, causing pressures fluctuations, which in turn affects how the torque converter locks up.

A Gen 2 zip kit, 100% new fluid and a new torque converter would be needed. it's getting to the TC that is the issue, as the entire transmission has to come out. As the lock up plate shudders, it's destroying itself and sends friction plate materials through out the transmission. Most captured by the filter, but it does affect the solenoids by blocking up their little mesh screens, which then affects ****ing. If left untreated, you will be up for a new transmission. The advantage with the sdv6 and ZF6 speed, assuming you have the 6HP28 gearbox, is that the lock up occurs at ~1250 rpm, so nice and early, and as you were driving it on command shift, even better.

[Woz]

We bought the car with 160k about 3 years ago,
The previous owner may have had TC Shudder, put in Shudder fix and sold the car.
Now with 208k I had the transmission serviced, the shudder fix drained out and the problem is back.

Left Sydney on our way south driving in command shift, about 20mins out the red light came on Restricted Performance, pulled into a side street, checked with the tool. Turbo problem.
Cleared the fault.
Put the van in storage and drove back to the Gold Coast, no shudder or fault lights.
Will put in some shudder fix and then onto the turbo issue.

[veebs]

We bought the car with 160k about 3 years ago,
The previous owner may have had TC Shudder, put in Shudder fix and sold the car.
Now with 208k I had the transmission serviced, the shudder fix drained out and the problem is back.

Left Sydney on our way south driving in command shift, about 20mins out the red light came on Restricted Performance, pulled into a side street, checked with the tool. Turbo problem.
Cleared the fault.
Put the van in storage and drove back to the Gold Coast, no shudder or fault lights.
Will put in some shudder fix and then onto the turbo issue.

I thought shudderfix was used to remove glazing from the TC plates. Once that is done, it serves no further purpose, so draining/replacing fluid should not make a difference?